Christine Vachon on Why Landing Pedro Pascal to Replace Joaquin Phoenix in ‘De Noche’ Gave Todd Haynes the ‘Happy Ending’ He Deserved
Producer Christine Vachon has revealed that Pedro Pascal stepping in to star in Todd Haynes' film "De Noche" after Joaquin Phoenix's abrupt departure ultimately gave the director the "happy ending" he deserved. Speaking at the Variety Lounge during the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Vachon described the turbulent production history of the 1930s-set Mexico romance, which nearly collapsed when Phoenix withdrew days before filming was due to begin. The comments offer a rare, candid look at the setbacks and recoveries involved in independent film production from one of the industry's most experienced producers.
Vachon, who co-founded Killer Films with Pamela Koffler over three decades ago, said the film underwent no drastic changes after the cast swap, though its setting shifted from Guadalajara to Mexico City and Pascal brought his own interpretation to the role. The film was shot last year with Pascal in the lead. Vachon was attending Edinburgh for the first time since 1998, when she opened the festival with Haynes' "Velvet Goldmine," and this time supported debut director Tyler-Marie Evans on "Pretty Babies," reflecting on how discovering new filmmaking voices remains a vital antidote to industry cynicism.
- Pedro Pascal replaced Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Haynes' "De Noche" after a production crisis.
- Producer Christine Vachon called it a "happy ending" Haynes deserved.
- Film's setting moved from Guadalajara to Mexico City with the recast.
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Pedro Pascal joining "De Noche," a 1930s-set romance directed by Todd Haynes, comes after the film's original lead, Joaquin Phoenix, dropped out shortly before shooting was due to start. Christine Vachon, the film's producer and co-founder of the production company Killer Films, has been speaking about how the project recovered from that setback. Her comments were made at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, a long-running UK film event where new and existing films are showcased and discussed.
Vachon is one of the more prominent figures in American independent cinema, having produced numerous films with Haynes over a career spanning more than thirty years. Her remarks give some insight into how "De Noche" changed after the cast switch, including a shift in filming location, and how the production ultimately went ahead with Pascal in the lead role last year.